How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet With Bacon Grease

A cast iron skillet can be used on the stove top, in the oven and even on the grill. Cast iron cookware retains heat well and cooks food evenly if cared for properly. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon grease works just as well.

Things You'll Need

Paper towels

Baking sheet or pan

Pot holders

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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moisten a few paper towels with bacon grease. Spread the grease around the inside of the pan in a thin, even layer. Coat both the sides and bottom of the inner part of the skillet.

Put the skillet upside down in the oven. Place an empty baking sheet or pan on the rack underneath the skillet to catch any drippings of grease.

Let the skillet bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Use pot holders to remove the pan. Pour out any excess grease from the skillet.

Put the skillet back in the oven and bake it for two hours. Repeat this process at least two more times if you want to create an especially strong seasoning bond.

Tips & Warnings

The first few times you use the pan after seasoning it, cook foods that require the use of oil. This process will help strengthen the seasoning bond.